The intended purpose of the Constitution is clear – set forth in the “Preamble” memorized by many of us.

We the People of the United States,

in Order to

form a more perfect Union,

establish Justice,

insure domestic Tranquility,

provide for the common defence,

promote the general Welfare,

and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity,

do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. (Source)

I think Christians should respect that.

It was crafted by imperfect but very well educated, intelligent, experienced, brave men much concerned with how we might be able to live together without destroying each other. That is a big deal!

It is precisely about getting a system running that would enable us to live together relatively peacefully. It ain’t easy. These men had risked their “lives, fortunes, and sacred honor” to make it possible. They knew the long brutal human history of governmental and civic failure.

When Christians urge me (or us) to honor and obey the civil authorities without reservation or hesitation, they dishonor the US Constitution.

When they say or imply we are not to criticize our leaders, to never disobey them nor encourage anyone else to disobey them – WOW! I get sad, angry, amazed. There are problems with that attitude.

In the US, the Constitution is superior to any living human authority,

to any race, class, religion, etc. We aspire to be a nation ruled by law,not by changing sets of humans – and that is the major protector of our freedoms.

Especially – don’t ask me to obey the current set of humans when they despise, and actively work to overthrow, the Constitution that created space for them in the first place! That, you know, is how Hitler did it.

When Christians ask me to surrender to evil, subversive leaders, who are in clear contempt of our Constitution and our legal structure, they contradict themselves and do not deserve my respect in the matter. Seriously, the Constitution – imperfect and human as it is – is precisely aimed at enabling diverse humans of contradictory interests to live together in relative peace. That’s pretty important!

We need that spirit and that agenda!

Please do not despise or ignore that underlying commitment of our nation –

whether in pretended reverence for Christ and His Kingdom,

or in submission to your political prejudices,

or for any reason.

If, for example, leaders of any kind push me to hate or harm “my neighbors” – which, after all, is strongly prohibited by Christ, the Apostles, and the Prophets – I will work to find ways to resist. And it is a human habit to produce such leaders, or wanna-be leaders. Therefore it is a perpetual duty to resist them. And the Constitution is on my side in so resisting.

Do not treat or speak of the Constitution with contempt, or dismiss it’s value,

in your service to current sets of human authorities. The Constitution is generally on our side in that concern about living peaceably together, and the thinking and spirit behind it are very much so.